44/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4453 — Avoid Doubtful Matters
Avoiding doubtful sources of earning
Halal and Haram Are Clear: Stay Away from Doubtful Matters
Sunan an-Nasai : 4453
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4453
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى الصَّنْعَانِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ الْحَارِثِ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَوْنٍ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم - فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ أَسْمَعُ بَعْدَهُ أَحَدًا يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم - يَقُولُ " إِنَّ الْحَلاَلَ بَيِّنٌ وَإِنَّ الْحَرَامَ بَيِّنٌ وَإِنَّ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ أُمُورًا مُشْتَبِهَاتٍ " . وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ " وَإِنَّ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ أُمُورًا مُشْتَبِهَةً " . قَالَ " وَسَأَضْرِبُ لَكُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ مَثَلاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَمَى حِمًى وَإِنَّ حِمَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَا حَرَّمَ وَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَرْتَعْ حَوْلَ الْحِمَى يُوشِكْ أَنْ يُخَالِطَ الْحِمَى " . وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ " إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَرْعَى حَوْلَ الْحِمَى يُوشِكْ أَنْ يَرْتَعَ فِيهِ وَإِنَّ مَنْ يُخَالِطِ الرِّيبَةَ يُوشِكْ أَنْ يَجْسُرَ " .
An-Nu'man bin Bashir Narrated from:
I heard the Messenger of Allah say: That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain, and between them are matters which are not as clear. I will strike a parable for you about that: indeed Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has established a sanctuary, and the sanctuary of Allah is that which He has forbidden. Whoever approaches the sanctuary is bound to transgress upon it, Or he said: 'Whoever grazes around the sanctuary will soon transgress upon it, and whoever indulges in matters that are not clear, he will soon transgress beyond the limits,""
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4453In-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 4458
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4453
This hadith is a key teaching about halal and haram. The Messenger of Allah explains that lawful matters are clear and unlawful matters are clear, while some matters between them are not as clear. He then gives the example of a protected sanctuary. Allah's sanctuary is what He has forbidden. A person who keeps grazing near its boundary may soon enter it. In the same way, someone who repeatedly enters doubtful matters may become bold enough to cross the limits. The lesson is not that every unclear matter is automatically haram. The warning is about living too close to what Allah has forbidden. Avoiding doubtful matters can protect a person from slowly moving toward clear wrongdoing and helps keep choices within safe boundaries.
What we learn from this hadith
- Halal and haram have clear boundaries.
- Some matters may be unclear to people.
- Repeatedly approaching doubtful matters can lead toward prohibited acts.
- Keeping a safe distance from Allah's limits is a wise form of caution.
